Episode 1: Crash Landing!
Aeryn found her mind unable to focus all day as she and her family traipsed through the southern hall of the Arundel Mills Mall. Waking up to yet another shooting was terrible enough, but it seemed like at any moment the world might implode. She can't die yet, she's only 20! Not to mention the Area 51 raid was happening soon. What the hell are those morons thinking?
She can barely see what's in front of her; barely hear what her family is saying. Sounds like Ian started something maybe? Why is everything so fuzzy? She wonders if she needs an ambulance, reaching her hand out to her dad in hopes of keeping her balance as her legs seem to give way, and-
Is everything getting… taller?
Come to think of it, it almost looks to her like she's clipped through the floor in a video game. Everything's starting to feel so…
Heavy…
So… Tired…
Silent blackness surrounded her.
"...how much longer she could remain unco-..." she hears an oddly familiar voice pass in through the darkness as she struggles to understand what happened. Was she having a nightmare? And why can't she move? If this is sleep paralysis again, she swears she's going to find some way to tear that bit of her subconscious out of her head. She struggles for a little while longer, until finally her eyes strain open. Her whole body seems to ache and lurch as she takes in her surroundings. It all seems so… off… the colors are all flat, and the shadows, well… they seem to just… end. Flat, as if drawn on. She reaches out her… arm…? What happened to her hand!? Is it gone? No it… There's the elbow… and the wrist, and… is it a… hoof…?
She takes a look down her body and sure enough, her legs end not in her old ugly human feet, but in simple flat hooves. Her body is rounder; pudgier, though she has seemingly remained just as tall and lanky as ever.
"The fuck, I'm- Holy shit, I'm pony." she almost seemed to speak like a robot in that moment, the absurdity frying her brain. She even has an… outline? She is definitely going to need time to get used to seeing that.
"Um… hello…? Nurse…? Anyon- er… fuck, uhhh… Anypony out there? Need some help, please!"
The door gently sweeps open as a nurse steps in.
Nurse Redheart… Aeryn finally accepts that, yes, she is in Equestria.
Somehow.
She takes a split second to bite down on her arm, to discern if this is just some weird dream.
Just the same pain as when she does it any other day. Okay, new plan: find Princess Celestia and Twilight and get the fuck home.
"Excuse me. Jane Doe? Would you please refrain from biting your own arm, for Twilight's sake?"
"Oh, sorry.
...
Wait, what about Twilight?"
"Huh? Oh, right. Princess Twilight wanted to know the moment you were awake. Wait here, please."
"Uhhhhh… okay." Okay, seriously. The hell is going on? Did she say 'for Twilight's sake'? Where did that come from? And wouldn't Celestia be just as interested in figuring out who she is? Yeah Twilight's the main character, but Celestia is the fucking ruler of-
"Oh, thank the stars, you're awake!"
"JESUS CHRIST!" Aeryn screams before simply stopping in dumbfounded silence. When was Twilight as tall as Luna? And why is she dressed like Celestia? Did she miss an episode or something?
"Uhhh… HI there, um… Twilight."
"Peculiar… you know my name? And why did you yell- what was that… 'Jesus Christ'? What in Celestia's Mane does that mean? Just who in Equestria are you, dear stranger?"
"Gah, du- fuck. Okay. How do I even explain thi- Wait, you've been to another universe, never mind. Hi! I am… from a… another universe. Really different from this one, and I need to get back home. My parents must be so scared… Also: HOW ARE YOU SO TALL ALSO THE OUTFIT, WHAT HAPPENED? Like… last episode I saw you were like… normal sized…"
"Oh, so are you like Sunset? Also… episode…?"
"Oh, right. Shit. Okay, in my universe this whole reality is an animated TV show.
Wait, you don't have TV. FUCK. Okay, uh… it's like a film, but you don't have to put it in something to play, it just plays on the screen? Uh… and a show is usually only 30 minutes or something."
"Oooookay. I watched plenty of TV in the human world. But you're saying that our whole lives have been shown in your world?"
"Not all, just… the interesting bits?"
"Strange. Well, then I promise, as princess of Equestria, I will help you return to your world."
"Thank you. Also… still didn't answer why you're so tall?"
"I haven't been average height in a good few years. And the get-up? Well… I am the ruler of Equestria, now that Celestia and Luna formally stepped down."
"Goddamn, I can't wait til those episodes air…"
Nurse Redheart and the princess help Aeryn out of the bed, as she experiences walking like a pony for the first time, and already her wrists hate her. They walk out of the hospital and into the streets of Ponyville, hopping into the chariot that brought Twilight here, and ride back to the castle.
"For now, as you have nowhere to live, you may have a room in the castle. Funny of you to wake up today of all days… Perhaps you'd like to join me and my friends for our monthly get-together?"
"Uh, sure! How long was I out…?"
"Only a few days. Lucky Rainbow Dash caught you when you fell from the sky, as well. Everypony is wondering about- oh! Here we are!"
They both step out and enter the castle, it's impossibly high ceilings and maze-like corridors already make Aeryn feel slightly dizzy. She keeps to Twilight's side, trying desperately to match her hoofsteps to that of a normal pony. 1, 2, 3, 4… oh, this is complicated…
They enter the throne room; immaculate, if blindingly pale, with stained glass depicting… a battle against Chrysalis, Tirek, and… what was her name? Cozy Glow…? What the hell happened?
"So, what's yer name, partner?" Applejack blurted out, trying to break the awkward silence.
"Earth to vegetable, helllloooooo?" Rainbow teased.
"Oh! Uh… sorry, just… Distracted… Uh… my name?" Fuck fuck FUCK. WHAT IS A GOOD PONY NAME!? uh… umm… "Warm… Embrace…?" she smiled as her head filled with yet more swearing.
"Oh, that's such a lovely name!" Fluttershy squeaked. "Nice to meet you, Warm Embrace. I'm Fluttershy."
"Nice to meet you too, Fluttershy! And the rest of ya!" Maybe this won't be a terrible plan…?
No, this was a horrible plan. A restaurant? In a world where everyone is vegetarian? And it's all weird stuff, too… Haycakes? No. Hay sandwich? Definitely not. Flower salad? Whaaaa-…? Aeryn sat silent, eyeing the menu as if it were a detective playing 'bad cop.'
"You okay there?" Rainbow questioned. "You look like the menu insulted your mother."
Aeryn glanced up and gave a nervous smile. "I'm fine, just… can't decide what to get." She hesitated for a moment before locking eyes with Twilight, which gave her a brilliant idea to save her ass. "Any, uh… Any suggestions, princess?"
"I've been going with a salad when I can't decide, lately."
"Salad it is then." Success! Now to just… eat flowers…
God this is fuckin weird.
The waiter arrives and gives a deep bow to Twilight before passing out everyone's meals. Now to just…
Oh right, ponies don't have utensils.
Fuck.
Aeryn finds herself yet again staring gormlessly at an object.
Just… just eat the salad, Aeryn.
How?
With a fork.
THERE IS NO FORK, AERYN.
Okay. We can do this. Just… umm… Aha!
Aeryn calmly reaches her face into the bowl, taking a small, gingerly bite of leaves and petals.
Please be good. Please be good!
The taste was… better than expected? She'll definitely have yet another thing to get used to, but she could probably handle it. She reaches up to pull the bowl a little closer, and-
"Shit!" Aeryn squeaks as she tips the bowl onto herself, dressing and all.
"Heh! What was that noise?" Dash chuckled at the utter mess this weirdo had made.
"Are you alright, darling?" Rarity fretted. "Oh, those poor fabrics! We simply must get them cleaned. The Canterlot Boutique is just around the corner, We can wash them quickly before the stains set."
"Uh… Okay, Rare." Aeryn seemed to slink into her hoodie like a turtle as the group rushed to the wash, her dyed-red hair falling over her right eye as if it were some mourner's veil.
"Darling?" Rarity asked, her new friend slinking back, "You can't be wearing them while they wash."
"I know, I just… Do you have anything else I could wear?" Aeryn whimpered, desperate to not be butt naked. She knows ponies are usually nude, but something about it just felt… off, for her specifically.
"Oh, you prefer to accessorize, Warm Embrace?" Rarity rushed off to find some outfits as Aeryn unzipped her hoodie and popped off her shoes.
"Pants too, darling." Rarity reminded as she stepped back in.
"I just… Do I have to?"
"Now, darling. Your body is nothing to be ashamed of." Rarity stepped closer, beginning to wrestle the pants and eventually underwear off of Aeryn's butt with her magic. She was a bit surprised by the extra secret clothing, but continued wrestling with Aeryn until she finally fell out of her pants, hitting the floor with a thud.
"Oh good heavens! You're…" Rarity screamed as Aeryn desperately backed away, covering her crotch and preparing for whatever the Equestrian equivalent of the T-slur might be.
"You're missing your cutie mark!" Rarity finally finished, stepping closer to inspect the barren flank.
"Huh? Oh! Yes, I'm…" Aeryn stuttered, trying to use this as a deflection.
"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't listen. You must be so embarrassed. But it's okay. It is not unheard of for a pony to learn their talent late." Rarity searched through her collection for a fitting dress that covers Aeryn's flank, as to save her from awkward looks and her own embarrassment.
The two ponies walk into the main show floor of the Boutique, Aeryn clad in a light blue sundress, face blushing with pure euphoria. She looks upon the group of friends. They may not necessarily be her friends, but they were still deeply comforting to be around. And who knew her least favorite member would so quickly and easily become the most endearing person- er… Pony…
“Hang on.” Rainbow announced. “ Before we all head back to the castle, Me and Pinkie have a little… ‘project’ we need to pick up some stuff for.”
“We better not have a repeat of the Cookie Incident!” Twilight scolded.
“What!? Of course not! I-I-I would never!” Rainbow stammered. “Look, just… Give us like 15 minutes.”
“Fine, but I’ll have to wait at the castle. We’ll meet back up in the fourth floor lounge, south tower.”
“I shall keep them out of trouble, Twilight.” Rarity assured. “Shouldn’t be but a moment.”
“Thank ya kindly, Rare.” Applejack tipped her hat to her friend, happy to finally have someone else watching Rainbow Dash.
“Thank you for tagging along as well, Warm Embrace. I could keep Rainbow Dash in line myself, but having both her and Pinkie may prove-”
“I can hear ya, yaknow?” Dash grumbled as she floated past the two, Pinkie bounding in tow.
“Um, what is it you’re lookin’ for, again?” Aeryn puzzled, scanning the general store and its cozy atmosphere. Almost reminded her of… Well, not home, but the many hole-in-the wall shops of her trips down Main St, Napp Town. She had expected the scale and bustle of a supermarket but, then again, this is a more medieval/Renaissance-esque world, so she can’t really expect anything ultra-
“HAI!” Pinkie leaned in, startling the poor girl from her deep thought. “Whatcha starin at?”
“H- Huh? Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought, Pinkie.”
“Oooooooo! Thinkin’ about what?”
“Just… Home, honestly…” Aeryn sank a bit, almost forgetting the act she’s been playing by.
“Aw, ya homesick, Warmy? Don’t worry! Pinkie Pie knows what’ll cheer you up!”
Oh, fuck. Please no embarrassment humor!
“Pinkie! Could use some help here!” Rainbow called out from a few shelves away.
"Oh thank whatever God is listening..." Aeryn muttered as Pinkie hopped away, herself following close behind.
"Alright that's about it." Rainbow concludes, holding forehooffuls of seemingly random objects. A jar of peanut butter, white-and-pink confetti, a roll of craft paper, and… soap? "Oh! Warm Embrace, can you grab that jar of marbles?"
Aeryn looks to where the pegasus pointed with her rear hoof, right on the bottom shelf a few paces behind her. She attempts to pull it out with her ha- er… Forehooves? But she can't get a good grip, her hooves instead choosing to slide right over the surface of the jar.
"Darling, why not just use your magic?" Rarity interrupts, looking upon the girl with the same confusion one would give to a man carrying a cart around a store instead of pushing it along. Aeryn raises an eyebrow before reaching a hoof up to her forehead. Sure enough, there was a conical protrusion, no doubt a horn, confirming that she was somehow a unicorn.
"Oh, right. Sorry." Aeryn looks upon the jar, trying to imagine it floating into the air weightlessly.
"Is everything alright?" Rarity interrupts again.
"I uh… guess I must be tired.
Or I have a concussion...?"
Rarity gives a quick sigh before lifting the jar herself, and wandering off with Rainbow Dash.
Though, as they go on their way to make the purchase, Dash looks over her shoulder at her new "friend" with a look of notable suspicion. Aeryn's blood runs cold as she tries to think of how to make it out of this. If Rainbow believes she's an enemy, Aeryn could find herself in the worst sort of trouble…
The quartet finally make their way back to the castle, Aeryn keeping mostly quiet in their walking conversation. They swing the lounge door open, looking upon a wonderously Twilight space. The walls are coated in fully-stocked bookshelves, with padded nooks in the windows and various couches, pillows, and chairs scattered around the room, the majority of which center around a knee-height table. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack wave their hellos as the other half of the Mane 6 find their places in the circle. Aeryn stands on the outside of the ring, taking deep, focused breaths. Her heart raced as she thought through all of the different possibilities, what all could happen next, and how each pony might respond.
"Aren't you going to sit down, Warm Embrace?" Fluttershy offered.
Twilight locked eyes with her strange guest, giving her a smile and a quick nod, as if telling her it was okay to let out what was eating away at her.
"I… have to explain something…" Aeryn hesitated. Taking one final deep breath.
"I haven't been completely honest with you. My… my name *isn't* Warm Embrace… it's… My name is Aeryn Boyer, and I'm… I'm from another universe."
"Twilight told me an' Fluttershy everything, sugarcube." AJ comforted.
"Wait, wha?" Rainbow sat, befuddled by her friend's statement.
"Where she's from is a lot like where Sunset lives. And in that world, ar lives are a story, created by somecreature in her world," the earth pony explained.
"I see…" Rarity understands. "I assumed she was a changeling, like Thorax had done before."
"So do all mares or whatever in your world sound so deep, Aeryn?" Rainbow interrupts.
The poor girl blushes before Twilight steps in to whisper an explanation into her friend's ear.
"She has a what?" Rainbow replies, confused.
"Nothing to be worried about, Dash," the princess quells. "See, Aeryn? You're going to be okay."
"We'll help you find your way home." Fluttershy adds.
"And help ya learn how to fit in while y'all are here!"
"And keep you out of trouble, darling."
"And throw you a big PARTY!" Pinkie leaps onto her new companion, promptly knocking the wind out of her. Twilight looks on with a smile and a laugh, stepping forward to join the hug, the rest of her friends following suit.
